Red Hawks Score Victory At State Tournament

After struggling in the first round, Froid/Lake put together an impressive first half and cruised by Bridger, 66-41, in loser-out action during the Class C boys’ basketball state tournament in Billings on Friday, March 12.

“We moved the ball and advanced the ball up the floor, like we’re supposed to do,” Froid/Lake Coach Josh Stentoft said after the victory.

Although the Red Hawks still didn’t enjoy their best game shooting the ball, it was an improvement compared to the first-round defeat. “We made our layups and bunnies consistently,” Coach Stentoft said.

The Red Hawks accounted for the game’s first 12 points including two hoops by freshman Mason Dethman, two baskets by Tyler Wivholm, a basket on an inbounds play by Colt Miller and a fastbreak drive by Javonne Nesbit.

The Red Hawks learned in the first-round game not to allow their opponent to come back from an early deficit. “We said don’t let them go on an 8-0 run,” Coach Stentoft said. “We need to keep pushing the ball.”

Bridger scored the next four points, but Froid/Lake ran off the next eight on two drives by Nesbit, an inside shot by C. Miller and a steal and layup by Dethman. After Bridger’s Baylor Pospisil hit a shot, a short jumper by Nesbit gave the Red Hawks a 22-8 advantage at the end of the opening quarter.

The Red Hawks increased their advantage to 28-10 early in the second quarter on hoops by Ashdyn Hobbs, Brett Stentoft and C. Miller.

Froid/Lake continued playing well throughout the quarter and a basket by Wivholm off a pass from C. Miller produced a 36-13 half-time margin.

After the Scouts got as close as 41-24 midway in the third quarter, Froid/Lake’s Bode Miller responded with five of the game’s next seven points. A three-pointer by B. Stentoft put the margin at 4927. The scoring of Nesbit led the Red Hawks to a 54-32 lead at the end of the period.

The Red Hawks scored six of the first eight points of the fourth quarter on a fastbreak drive by Hobbs, a free throw by Nesbit and a three-pointer by B. Miller en route to the 66-41 victory.

Reaching double figures for Froid/Lake were Nesbit with 14 and B. Miller with 12 points.

Wivholm finished with nine points. C. Miller and Dethman added eight points each.

Also scoring were Hobbs with six, B. Stentoft with five, Nate Stentoft with three and Issac Johnson with one.

Pospisil led Bridger with 17 points.